THE BUZZ

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Ever thought of sending a branded digital Christmas card or e-card to clients, associates and friends?

A bespoke Christmas e-card, branded with your company colours, logo and personal greeting.

E-cards are simply an electronic version of a standard greeting card that you can send by e-mail. You simply choose your card from a selection, customize it and click send, and the lucky recipient will receive your card within seconds. They have become wildly popular in recent years due to the many advantages they have over traditional paper cards.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Thursday, October 20, 2011

With the Summer events season well on it’s way, we are pleased to offer a fantastic and gorgeous solution to keep your guests cool throughout the day. The paper parasol is fun and quirky as well as functional. They provide a great accessory and are perfect for creating interesting photographs. The parasols can be used at morning or afternoon events, add a great deal of atmosphere and can be used as unique favours or gifts for your guests.

Elsje Designs is pleased to offer white paper parasols at R69.00 each on purchases between now and the end of November 2011. Please note there is a minimum order of 25 units.

Should you wish to place an order, please contact us on admin@elsje.co.za.

Monday, October 17, 2011

This week our production team has been very busy with exciting ideas and inspirations. If you are looking for an innovative concept that can be used for a variety of events including invitations, kids parties, baby showers, table decoration or simply to have something beautiful in a room, we are pleased to be able to offer you a pinwheel solution.
The pinwheel can be printed or non printed. It is available in a variety of stunning paper options and embellishments. Each pinwheel is hand-crafted with scalloped edges and can be personalised to your specific requirements. We love the versatile pinwheel!

Should you require any further information or wish to place an order, please contact us on admin@elsje.co.za

Friday, October 14, 2011

Whilst we still adore the craft associated with colourful print, beautiful paper, ribbon and embellishments it is vital for us to keep up with the changing times. We are pleased to be able to offer electronic solutions for our clients in addition to the printed alternative.

Electronic “Save the Dates’’ and “e-vites” are a cost and time effective way of informing or inviting guests to your event. Be it your wedding, year end work function, birthday party, baby announcement or festive season greeting, digital announcement or invitations, we are able to design according to your theme, colours, look and feel to allow your unique touch to filter through.

We would recommend that electronic announcements are used in conjunction with physical invitations.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Stay cool this summer with this limited offer at R15 each (normal price R27 each) minimum order: 25 units. These plain white paper & bamboo fans are an attractive addition to any summer celebration. A must have accessory for hot summer celebrations.

As an optional extra, you may choose names and dates to be printed on the handle. Maximum 20 characters.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

If you're a budget-savvy couple, you're probably looking to save money wherever you can. One area you might not have thought of is your wedding invitations. Don't think you need to buy flimsy paper or discounted blurry printing. You can still have an elegant but cheap wedding invitation.

Here are 6 easy ways of saving money on invitations:

1. Digital Save the Date
E-mail an eye-catching Save the Date to your guests (one year to 6 months prior to your wedding) . This will allow your guests to indicate whether they are able to attend, therfore reduce the number of printed invitations you need to order.

2. Different Printing Techniques
An embossed invitation is a beautiful – but an expensive one. But there are alternatives. Laser printing (the same kind used for magazines, postcards, etc.) is perfectly appropriate and flawless quality.

3. The Little Extras
Intricate invitations with jackets, bows, multiple layers of paper and other embellishments are very popular these days. But those little extra details can really add up. Not only will you pay for their cost, but there might be hidden assembly fees (or extra work for you), as well as additional postage costs. Instead go for the classic look of a simple invitation printed on a high-quality paper.

4. Standard Size Invitations
Some people mistakenly think that as long as their invites weigh less than one ounce, they can use a regular first class stamp. Not only is this not true, but most invitations weigh more than an ounce.

Postage will be more if:
· It is a square letter
· It contains very rigid items such as wood or metal
· It has clasps, string, buttons, or similar closure devices
· It has an address parallel to the shorter dimension of the letter
· It contains items such as pens that cause the surface to be uneven

5. Proofread
A no-brainer, perhaps, but you'd be surprised how many people find errors on their invitations and have to re-order with extra rush charges. Get a couple of trusted friends or colleagues to look over the invitation for extra insurance. Make sure you've got all the details of names, date, time, location, and RSVP correct!

6. Order extra invitations and envelopes

This might seem counterintuitive, but since almost every couple remembers someone that they HAVE to invite at the last minute, you'll want to have a few extra wedding invitations. And since it's likely that you'll make a few goofs while addressing them, order extra envelopes as well. It will cost you a little extra now, but save you lots of reprinting and rush charges later.

Elsje Designs

Hello Stellenbosch!

Change is in the air. Not only have we moved to Stellenbosch, but our focus has also moved from posh events and weddings to limited edition lifestyle décor with a proudly South African touch. Watch this space...

Inspirational Invitations

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About Us

We are a couture design company, specializing in creating and styling exclusive event stationery such as invitations, menus, programmes, gift tags, thank-you cards, save-the-date-cards, paper art for special occasions such as weddings, 21st birthdays, wedding anniversaries, birth announcements and personalised stationery. The team consist of 8 dream team members!

Style Notes

Look for Less Tip…Figure out where you place value in your wedding…is it the flowers? the invitations? the food and wine? Then, rearrange your budget so that the emphasis is on what you love…skimp on the rest!

Our favourite photographers

The Design Process

step 1: GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Our first consultation is a creative meeting - our goal is to make your dream come true and design stationery that reflects your personality. Design choices including font & calligraphy options, paper, embellishments, ribbon and print techniques will be discussed. A refundable consultation fee of R300 is charged, we assure you that even if you would like to get ideas to make your own stationery, we would gladly share our secrets and give you ideas!

Alternatively, clients can also choose an existing design from our online shop - this is ideal if you are not able to meet with us at the studio.

step 2: QUOTE & DEPOSIT

Within a week we will provide you with a written quote - based on your consultation or online selection. Any additional design time spent, will be charged at our hourly rate of R300. A 50% deposit will be required to initiate the actual design process, based on your quote. Please supplyyour name as reference when you make your deposit.

step 3: ORDER FORM & WORDING SUGGESTIONS

On receipt of your deposit, we will forward an order form and a complete invitation wording manual with guidelines, etiquette and suggestions for you to compile your wording. Design will only begin after we received your completed order form.

step 4: DIGITAL MOCKUP: REVIEW & APPROVE THE PROOF

Based on your briefing we design a digital mock-up which we will e-mail to you. You will then have the opportunity to provide feedback and identify any changes you wish to make. The changes are integrated into a revised version that is submitted for your approval. Your first set of changes are free of charge, further changes will be billed at a fee of R300.00 per hour. Once you have approved the digital proof, Elsje Designs is not responsible for any future changes or mistakes.

step 5: PHYSICAL MOCKUP: FINAL APPROVAL & SIGN-OFF

After you have expressed satisfaction with the digital artwork - the layout, font, spelling and punctuation - we make a physical mock-up. Photographs will be emailed to you or can be signed off at the studio. The first mockup is free, any mockups thereafter will be billed at R250 per mockup.

step 6: PRINT, PRODUCTION & PICK-UP

Upon your final approval of the design, we will order paper and other materials for the production process to commence. We will complete work within 5 to 7 working days of receipt of your approved artwork. The balance outstanding will be due on collection of your stationery or before you arrange collection.